Record Sales In 2002 More Of The Same Reason To Buy In 2003 | Part Two

More good news for customers of 4-wheel drive vehicles. The
2003 model year Shogun Sport 2.5 Turbo Diesel and the L200 2.5
single and double cab pick ups all have their service intervals
increased from every 4,500 miles to every 9,000 miles after
the initial service. More good news - a 138 PS power up grade
pack for this engine will be introduced during the first quarter
of 2003.

The latest Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution model, the 276 bhp Evo VIII will be arriving in Britain during March. The UK will become the first European country to receive this new 6-speed model and for the first time it will be sold only through authorised Mitsubishi Ralliart dealers. Because the Ralliart brand is now operated in-house exclusively by MMC, prices of the new Evolution VIII will be lower than previous models. Customers wanting to buy one of these approved fully warranted super-cars would now have no reason to take a chance and buy a non-approved grey import. Prices for the EVO VIII start at £26,995, rising to £28,995 for the 300 + bhp FQ derivative.

Should Customers Need Reminding

Supporting this programme of reasons to buy and to keep the Mitsubishi offers very much in the public’s eye, for the first time in four years Mitsubishi are running a national television and cinema advertising campaign featuring the new Shogun and 4 x 4 range. In addition at dealer level Mitsubishi in conjunction with Tesco stores are joining forces to promote the space Star models. Over 4 million people a week use the 600 UK Tesco stores so Tesco are an ideal partner to promote Mitsubishi dealer awareness in the local community. Over two weekends, 25-26 January and 1-2 February Mitsubishi dealers will display a Space Star at their selected Tesco store. Customers visiting these displays will have the opportunity to receive Tesco vouchers and make a booking for a Space Star test drive.

Also Mitsubishi and Texaco are linking up to re-launch the Texaco loyalty card scheme ‘Global Club’. 450,000 existing club members will be mailed an application form to join the new Texaco scheme and a chance to win one of three new Space Stars. All of Texaco’s 1,500 filling stations will be displaying Global Club and win a Space Star point of sale material from 7 February to the 30 April.

Finally - It’s Show Time

Not all Mitsubishi sales activities will be centred on showrooms, Tesco stores or Texaco filling stations. Mitsubishi Motors will be attending the Autosport International show at the NEC in Birmingham from 9 –12 January. This event will see the European debut of the new Lancer Evolution VIII, the announcement of Mitsubishi’s UK entry in to the Group N Class of the British Rally Championship, the preview of the Ralliart Evolution Challenge domestic rally series and the launch of the Shogun Pinin in the Production Class of the British Off Road Championship. Shogun Pinin won the production class last year in its first season of competition.

For prospective Mitsubishi customers with non-motorsport tendencies, towing and leisure activities could just be up their street. With over 60% of Mitsubishi’s new vehicle sales being for 4-wheel drive models, the Boat, Caravan and Leisure Show from 15-23 February, again at the NEC in Birmingham is a priority event. This will be the third year running Mitsubishi have been at the show. Caravaners and people who use vehicles for towing are key customer groups for Mitsubishi who will be showing the new Shogun, Shogun Sport, Pinin and L200 Double Cab models.